Leen was awarded the DPET scholarship to pursue an MSc in Defence, Development and Diplomacy at Durham University.
”This degree is not just an academic achievement — it’s a lifeline, a responsibility, and a continuation of my fight for justice and dignity for my people.
”Since October 2023, I have lived through things no one should have to endure. I have been displaced multiple times and like many others, have lost my home, my sense of safety, humanity and the life I had built.
”But I did not stop!
”I continued to help my people, working with various humanitarian organisations and coordinating emergency services even at my own detriment.
”This program at Durham is not just an academic pursuit — it is a necessary step in my mission return home equipped to change lives and challenge the structures that continue to overlook us.”